Aidan had been dating artist girlfriend Nettie Wakefield since last year

The news is likely to delight heartthrob Aidan’s legion of dedicated fans.

BBC1 star Aidan, 33, and Nettie were first pictured together in London last October, sharing a passionate kiss after enjoying drinks at a posh members club in the capital.

And in December the pair were seen hand-in-hand together again after enjoying a meal at Scott’s restaurant in upmarket Mayfair and she posted a photograph of him online – but they have not been seen together in several months and a source close to them revealed the romance is off.